Portable sash-fastener.



J. E. HORSTMYER.

PORTABLE SASH EEEEEE R.

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unita JOHN EDWARD HORSTMYER, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK.

PORTABLE SASI-I-FASTENER.

'Application led December 6, 1910.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

serial No. 595,869.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN EDWARD HoRs'r- MYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Sash-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to portable sash fasteners for the use of travelers and others, the object of the invention being to provide a simple, inexpensive and efficient construction of fastener which may be conveniently carried within the pocket or a travelers suit case, hand bag or other receptacle and applied to secure the sashes of a window in closed position against the ventrance into a room or apartment of unauthorized persons.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a horizontal transverse section through one of the jambs of a window frame and the lower rail of the upper sash, showing the upper rail of the lower sash in plan view and the fastener applied to secure said sashes in closed position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the fastener detached and with the clamping devices retracted. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the swiveled coupling members. Fig. 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates one of the jambs of a window frame, 2 and 3, respectively, the parting strip and inner guide strip upon said jamb, and 4 'and 5, respectively, the lower rail of the upper sash and the upper rail of the lower sash. As shown, the edge of the sash 5 is provided with the usual vertical groove or recess 6 for the passage of the balancing cord 7.

The improved fastener embodying my invention comprises a rectangular body or bracket plate S provided, at what, for convenience, will be termed its front edge, wit-h a central .depending tongue 9, formed by providing parallel slits in the plate and bending the intervening portion thereof downward.

At or about the center of the plate is arranged a pivot pin or rivet 10 on which is pivotally mounted, to swing transversely of the plate, the cam or eccentric head 11 of an operating lever 12, said lever having at one side of its free end an upturned lug 13 forming a finger piece.

The head 11 is approximately of oval form, with-its major aXis extending at right angles to the direction of extension of the lever 12, which latter projects from the rear side of the head and .normally bevond the inner side edge of the plate. The head 11 is provided at one side of the pivot 10 with a coupling member or holder 14, comprising an ear or lug swiveled to the head and formed with a threaded opening 15, said lug, in the normal or retracted position of the lever, lying in rear of t-he pivot 10. The opening l5 receives the inner end of a clampmg jaw or member 16 consisting of a stem' having at its outer end a contact piece 17 formed of rubber or other suitable soft material, said contact piece being adapted to bear against the inner `face of one of the side rails of the upper sash without marring or injuring the same. The stem 16 passes through a guide loop 18 carried by the plate 8, by which it is guided and directed in its movements. Also mounted on the head 11, normally in advance of the pivot 10 is a swiveled coupling member or holder 19 similar in construction to the holder 14, and which receives the inner threaded end of a clamping member 2O comprising a stem having its outer end projecting beyond the plate to engage the inner side of the jamb 9 and inner face of the guide strip 3, said stem passing through a guide loop 21 swiveled on the plate 8 and similar inv construction to the guide loop 18. The loop 21 is arranged adjacent the left hand corner of the front p ortion of the plate 8, as shown in Fig. 2.

The normal position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 2, from which it will be seen that the major axis of the head 11 normally lies on a line coincident with a line drawn through the center of the plate parallel with its side edges, while the clamping members project laterally in opposite directions at diderent angles.

In the use of the device, the sashes are iirst closed and then the bracket plate is arranged to rest upon the top rail 5 of the lower sash with its forward end disposed between the strips 2 and 3 at one side of the frame and its tongue 9 projected downward into the groove 6 to retain the plate against outward sliding motion. When the device face of the adjacent stile of the upper sash" 4:, while the clamping member 2l will be projected at an oblique angle into contact with the rib 3 and inner face of the jamb l,

whereby both sashes will be locked against relative movement in closed position and against any possibility of their being opened from the outside. When it is desired to release the sashes, it is simply necessary to return the lever to the position shown in Fig. whereby the clamping member will be retracted, leaving the device free to be withdrawn.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, the construction and mode of use of my improved sash fastener will be readily understood and its advantages to travelers and others appreciated in enabling the windows of a room or apartment to be firmly closed against the entrance of unauthorized persons from without. It will be seen that the device is simple of construction and may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

It will be understood that by means of their threaded engagement with the swiveled coupling members the clamping devices may be adjusted to regulate their extent of projection beyond the bracket plate, to adapt them for operation upon windows in which variations in the distance between the rib 3 and stile of the upper sash t exist.

Having thus described my invention, I claim A sash fastener comprising an oblong rectangular bracket plate adapted to rest upon the top rail of the lower sash and having side edges to engage the inner guide strip and parting strip ofa jamb, a tongue integral with and depending centrally from the front portion of the bracket. plate and adapted to engage the side edge of the sash, a lever having a cam head pivoted at the center of said bracket plate, supports having internally threaded eyes, said supports being journaled upon the cam head on opposite sides of its pivot, guide members journaled upon the bracket plate on opposite sides of the lever head and located respectively adjacent one of the front corners of theplate in advance of the pivot point `of the lever and adjacent one of the side edges of the plate in transverse alinement with said pivot point, and clamping members having threaded portions adjustably engaging the eyes of the supports, said clamping members slidably projecting through the guide members.

ln testimony whereof I aiiix my signature -in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN EDVARD HORSTMYER. Vitnesses:

F. S. PARKER, WV. l/V. SANFORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C. 

